Apparatus for Warming Appendages During Outdoor Activities

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a device and method for warming hands during a sporting or athletic activity particularly those requiring a rod-shaped tool such as a pom-pom, hiking pole, golf club, or the like. The device may be formed of flexible material with a pocket to hold a heating or cooling element. A mating means may be used to attach the device to the handle of the rod-shaped tool.

The following application is an application for patent under 35 USC 111 (a). It claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/623,491 on Jan. 29, 2018 of common inventorship and ownership.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This disclosure relates to the field of outdoor activities but may be more precisely defined as maintaining comfort of appendages and digits, specifically hands and fingers, during athletic or sporting activities. These athletic activities may include but are not limited to those wherein a tool or instrument, in the form of a rod or shaft, is used for the activity. The rod or shaft for instance may take the form of a pom pom handle, hiking pole, ski pole, golf club, fishing pole, or the like.

BACKGROUND

In outdoor or sporting activities performed in cold weather, it may be hard to maintain warmth of appendages, especially hands and fingers. This may be especially challenging when a certain uniform is required and warm attire, capable of maintaining warmth of the appendages and hands, is not appropriate, desired, or available to the person performing the sport or activity. There is a need for a discrete way to warm appendages, especially hands and fingers, in a manner that does not disrupt attire and appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a device, capable of being semi-permanently attached to a shaft, for holding a warming or cooling element, the device comprising: a flexible material; at least one warming or cooling element; at least one pocket to contain the warming or cooling element; and a means for semi-permanently attaching the device to a shaft. The device may further comprise a means for attaching the ends of the device to each other. The means for semi-permanently or permanently attaching the ends of the device to each other may include snaps or Velcro, or any other mating means of semi-permanent or permanent attachment. The device may comprise at least two pockets to contain the warming or cooling element. Further, the device may comprise at least three pockets to contain the warming or cooling element. The device may further comprise a rod or shaft, being a handle of a sporting tool or accessory, including but not limited to a pom pom, racquet, club, pole, or other tubular or rod-shaped devices. These devices may not necessarily be circular and have a smooth circumference, but may be square, pentagon, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or otherwise shaped to conform to the grip of a hand.

In a second embodiment the device may be formed of one continuous piece of flexible material, wherein the means for attaching the device to a shaft is natural stretch or elasticity of the flexible material. Alternately the continuous piece of flexible material may be attached to the rod-shaped piece with attachment means described above.

The invention comprises a method for warming hands during a sporting activity requiring a rod-shaped tool, the method comprising steps including: fitting a warming device into the pocket of the flexible pocket device; optionally fixing ends of the flexible pocket device to each other; and fitting the flexible pocket device having at least one pocket and two ends onto the rod-shaped tool.

In yet another embodiment the invention comprises a method for forming a device capable of fitting on a rod-shaped instrument comprising forming a pocket from or on a flexible material, fitting a heating or cooling device into the pocket of the flexible material, and enabling the device formed thereby to be semi-permanently or permanently attached to the rod-shaped instrument.

The invention comprises a method for warming hands during a sporting activity requiring a rod-shaped tool, the method comprising the following steps: fitting a flexible pocket device having at least one pocket onto the rod-shaped tool and fitting a warming device into the pocket of the flexible pocket device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section side view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the invention fitted to a pom pom handle.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagrams illustrating an end view of a pom pom handle fitted with the invention.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the invention. The invention 100 may be roughly rectangular in shape, but also may be oval, square, or rectangular or square with rounded corners. The invention can be made from flexible material chosen from fabrics, natural or non-natural, woven or non-woven, or plastics, vinyl, or any material suitable to the invention. The invention will comprise a device 100 of flexible material with at least one pocket 104 or heating pouch holding area, a means for semi-permanently or temporarily attaching one end of the device to the other, not limited to mating means including snaps or Velcro 102 a, magnet, or other closure means, and a means for semi-permanent attachment, such as for example an adhesive material, snap, Velcro, or clip to a rod-shaped device (not shown). The device may further comprise at least two pockets, or at least three pockets. The device may further comprise a heating device (not shown). The heating device may be mechanical, chemical, infrared, or heat via various forms of technology. It is imagined that optionally, a cooling device may be inserted in the flexible material. Additionally, the device may contain at least one flap 101.

The invention 100 may be formed of a single piece of material especially a soft flexible and stretchable fabric 110. The fabric may be sewn together at the edges 106 to form a tube-like structure 111. A portion of the structure 101, 105 may be folded over the other to form an enclosure or pocket area 104. The ends of the fabric tube may be fitted with attachment elements 102 a via stitching 103. If a Velcro device is used to attach the ends a loop portion 102 a will be fitted on one side of the device, shown here fitted to the top, and the receiving portion FIG. 2 102 b will be fitted to the other or bottom side of the device (102 b shown in FIG. 2). Whether the loop portion 102 a or receiving portion 102 b is attached to the top or bottom of the device may be a design choice. The stitching 103 to affix the Velcro 102 a, 102 b may serve to close the pocket 104 to ensure a warming device fitted inside stays in place.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of the invention. The device 100 may be a thin flexible apparatus, material, or fabric 107 consisting of one or more layers. The layers may be adhered or stitched together 106 to form a tube-like structure 111 and the at least one pocket 104 on the interior. Optionally, the device may be formed of one layer and an additional section of flexible apparatus material may be adhered or stitched to the one layer to form one or more pockets. The device may consist of a means to attach one end to the other 102 b. This means may comprise snaps, magnets, Velcro 102 b, or other appropriate means to semi-permanently or temporarily attach one end to the other, including for instance an adhesive material. Stitching 103 to hold a Velcro 102 b piece may help to form the interior pocket 104 of the device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section side view of the invention. One piece of fabric 107 may be sewn or stitched together to form a tube-like structure. The fabric 107 may be folded over to form a pocket or pouch 104 therein to hold a heating element (not shown). A portion of the fabric 101 may be folded over the other end to close the pocket or pouch 104. Stitching 103 may form the ends or the pocket 104 to hold a heating device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the device 100 of fabric 107 fitted to the handle 108 of a pom pom. A pom pom handle 108 or other rod-shaped shaft may be semi-permanently fitted with a device 100 described herein to form another embodiment of the invention. The handle may be fitted with the top from FIG. 1 of the device facing inwards. The flap 101 with the Velcro 102 a may be attached to the bottom side Velcro portion 102 b to hold the device onto the pom pom handle 108. Alternately if the device is one continuous stretchable loop or tube portion with an interior pocket, no additional attachment means may be necessary. The pom pom body 109 being plastic, fabric, wool, or other material extends out from the top of the pom pom handle for use.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the end of a pom pom handle fitted with the device 100. This embodiment may comprise a handle 108 being a handle of a pom pom, or any other tubular rod-shaped device, including a racquet, golf club, fishing pole, or the like. The invention may comprise a device essentially as shown and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The device 100 comprises a tubular shaped flexible material 107. The material may be natural or non-natural, woven or non-woven, elastic or non-elastic, plastic, and/or vinyl, or the like. In one embodiment, the material is elastic such that the tube may be stretched over a handle or shaft of a pom pom. The semi-permanent or temporary and/or permanent attachment means or attachment to itself and the handle or rod may alternately comprise any mating means being a clip, Velcro 102 a, 102 b, snap, magnet, or other means for semi-permanent or permanent attachment, including for instance an adhesive material if desired. The device 100 may comprise at least one pocket 104 for insertion of a warming device (not shown). The device may further comprise flaps or other attributes not realized at this time.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Each apparatus embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device capable of being attached to a shaft-like handle for holding a warming or cooling element, the device comprising: a) a flexible material; b) at least one warming or cooling element; c) at least one pocket to contain the warming or cooling element; and d) a means for attaching the device to the shaft-like handle.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is a rectangular shaped device formed of one piece of fabric.
 3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a means for attaching ends of the device to each other.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the means for attaching the ends of the device to each other is a snap.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the means for attaching the ends of the device to each other is Velcro.
 6. The device of claim 1 having at least two pockets to contain the warming or cooling element.
 7. The device of claim 1 having at least three pockets to contain the warming or cooling element.
 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the handle is a pom pom handle.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the means for attaching the device to the pom pom handle is an elastic portion.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the means for attaching the device to the pom pom handle is a mating means.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the mating means is Velcro.
 13. A device for warming or cooling the hands of a performer using a pom pom, the device comprising: a) a pom pom having a handle; b) a flexible material portion; c) at least one warming or cooling element; d) at least one pocket on the flexible material portion to contain the warming or cooling element; and e) a means for attaching the flexible material portion to the pom pom handle.
 14. A method for warming hands during a sporting activity requiring a rod-shaped tool, the method comprising the following steps: a) forming at least one pocket from flexible material to create a flexible pocket device, wherein the pocket is sized to fit a warming or cooling device; and b) fitting the flexible pocket device onto the rod-shaped tool.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising fitting two ends of the flexible pocket device together with a mating means. 